Korean Art

From exquisite porcelain to cutting-edge works by the Dansaekhwa movement, Christie’s is committed to offering the finest pieces of Korean art, both at auction and through private sales. We are proud to hold several important records in this category and have a reputation for bringing significant private collections to market, including the recent sales of the renowned Collection of Robert Hatfield Ellsworth.

Our experienced global team of specialists is dedicated to sourcing exceptional works of art with the finest quality and provenance. Whether you are looking to buy or sell, we are always available for a free and confidential valuation or to discuss the market. Please do not hesitate to get in touch for more information about buying and selling Korean art.

A traditional Asian scroll featuring gold illustrations of Buddha amidst clouds on a blue background and columns of golden text.

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9 - 24 Sep
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Arts of Asia Online
New York

9 - 24 Sep

Online

Arts of Asia Online

New York

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From free valuations to market advice, our specialists are here to answer your questions.

Takaaki Murakami (村上高明)
Vice President, Specialist and Head of Department
New York
Call+1 212 636 2160
E-mailtmurakami@christies.com
Appointed Head of Department in 2019 with over 20 years of experience in art connoisseurship, business development and auction management, Mr. Murakami has been instrumental in reinforcing Christie’s leadership in the global performance of Japanese and Korean art.

From sourcing and research to catalogue and exhibition production, from marketing and client strategy to post sales management, Mr. Murakami's depth of knowledge and leadership across the sales process has expanded the department's global reach and market shares over the last 5 years. His achievements also include the management and sale of multiple prestigious private collections including the Robert Hatfield Ellsworth Collection, the Irving Collection and the Utterberg Collection; advocating for the inclusion of new artists and genres; launching the department’s first online sale, and successfully promoting Japanese and Korean art during both Asia Week and Classic Week.

Mr. Murakami was a business liaison in Christie’s Tokyo before relocating to New York as a specialist in 2011, where he became Head of Sales in 2014. His prolific career in Asia and North America enabled him to establish strong relationships with private collectors, museums, and gallery owners around the globe.

Mr. Murakami holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Sophia University in Tokyo.
Hua Zhou (周樺)
Junior Specialist
New York
Call+1 212 636 2160
E-mailhuazhou@christies.com
Hua Zhou is a junior specialist in the Japanese and Korean Art department in Christie’s New York and is responsible for researching and cataloguing works for the department, as well as sourcing and marketing. She has worked on auctions of various prestigious collections, such as the Springfield Museum and the Utterberg Collection. Prior to joining the team, she received her Bachelor of Arts in History of Art and Architecture from Boston University and a Master’s Degree in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art. She also studied abroad to Sophia University in Tokyo. Mandarin Chinese being her mother tongue, she is also fluent in Japanese. Hua has successfully completed training in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice facilitated by a certified AQB instructor from the Appraisers Association of America.
Hiroo Nakamoto
Sale Coordinator
New York
Call+1 212 636 2160
E-mailhnakamoto@christies.com
Hak Jun Lee
General Manager
Seoul
Call+822 720 5260
Yunah Jung (鄭允雅)
Vice President, Regional Senior Specialist
Seoul
Call+82 2720 5266
E-mailyjung@christies.com
Katsura Yamaguchi
Senior Vice President , International Director, Asian Art
Tokyo
Call+813 6267 1772
E-mailkyamaguchi@christies.com
As Senior Vice President and International Director of Christie’s Asian Art departments, Katsura Yamaguchi had been fundamental player in securing business deals and relationships in the Far East and New York. Mr. Yamaguchi has always had an important presence in Asia and was crucial in the growth of Christie’s offices in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to his business development role, as a former Senior Specialist of Japanese and Korean art he acts as a top-level client liaison worldwide.

Mr. Yamaguchi has been instrumental in selling many important private collections. In 1998, he was responsible for the landmark sale of Ukiyo-e Paintings formerly belonging to the Azabu Museum of Art and Craft, which realized $4.9 million. Naturally Mr. Yamaguchi was also active in organizing other important sales, such as Japanese Modern and Contemporary paintings from the Itoman Collection that achieved in 2000, a staggering $7.9 million. In 2005 Mr. Yamaguchi notably handled the sale of Important Swords from the Museum of Japanese Sword Fittings that realized the groundbreaking result of $1.6 million. Additionally, for the remarkable recent business success of Mr. Yamaguchi, sold a very important seated statue of 12th century Dainichi Nyorai for $14,300,000 in March, 2008, that made a world record of Japanese antique art, and of the most expensive individual work in any Asian art sold in New York, now registered as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

In March 2017, Mr, Yamaguchi also got historycal proprrty for "Important Chinese Art from Fujita Museum" sale that realized over $260M and became world auction record of any Asian art sales.

Mr. Yamaguchi began his career at Christie’s in 1992 as a Graduate Trainee in London. He then moved to Tokyo, Japan as an Assistant Specialist for Japanese Paintings in 1994. He continued to move from strength to strength in that department rising to the position of Associate Director, Business Development in 1997 and Senior Specialist in 2000. In 2004 Mr. Yamaguchi assumed the responsibilities he had as Senior Vice President and was given the role of International Director in addition to that in 2007. Mr. Yamaguchi currently works in Tokyo office from July 2017 as SVP and International Director of Asian art.

A native of Japan, he was educated at Gyosei Gakuen (L’Ecole de l’Etoile du Matin) High School. Mr. Yamaguchi then earned his B.A. at Rikkyo (St. Paul’s) University in Tokyo. He is currently guest professor for Kyoto University of Art and Design, a member of Japanese Art Society of America, Director for The Adachi Foundation and a Director for the International Ukiyo-e Society.

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Buying and selling

How to buy

Buying at Christie’s has never been easier or more accessible, whether you want to attend a live auction, bid online or purchase directly from our Private Sales service.

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Selling your art or object at Christie’s is a smooth experience. We’ll dedicate our global network and art market expertise to get the best price for your item.

Frequently asked questions

Need help? Find your answers in our list of frequently asked questions — from online account creation to buying, selling and Private Sales.

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Katsura Yamaguchi

Senior Vice President , International Director, Asian Art

Tokyo

Call

E-mail

As Senior Vice President and International Director of Christie’s Asian Art departments, Katsura Yamaguchi had been fundamental player in securing business deals and relationships in the Far East and New York. Mr. Yamaguchi has always had an important presence in Asia and was crucial in the growth of Christie’s offices in Tokyo, Japan. In addition to his business development role, as a former Senior Specialist of Japanese and Korean art he acts as a top-level client liaison worldwide.

Mr. Yamaguchi has been instrumental in selling many important private collections. In 1998, he was responsible for the landmark sale of Ukiyo-e Paintings formerly belonging to the Azabu Museum of Art and Craft, which realized $4.9 million. Naturally Mr. Yamaguchi was also active in organizing other important sales, such as Japanese Modern and Contemporary paintings from the Itoman Collection that achieved in 2000, a staggering $7.9 million. In 2005 Mr. Yamaguchi notably handled the sale of Important Swords from the Museum of Japanese Sword Fittings that realized the groundbreaking result of $1.6 million. Additionally, for the remarkable recent business success of Mr. Yamaguchi, sold a very important seated statue of 12th century Dainichi Nyorai for $14,300,000 in March, 2008, that made a world record of Japanese antique art, and of the most expensive individual work in any Asian art sold in New York, now registered as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

In March 2017, Mr, Yamaguchi also got historycal proprrty for "Important Chinese Art from Fujita Museum" sale that realized over $260M and became world auction record of any Asian art sales.

Mr. Yamaguchi began his career at Christie’s in 1992 as a Graduate Trainee in London. He then moved to Tokyo, Japan as an Assistant Specialist for Japanese Paintings in 1994. He continued to move from strength to strength in that department rising to the position of Associate Director, Business Development in 1997 and Senior Specialist in 2000. In 2004 Mr. Yamaguchi assumed the responsibilities he had as Senior Vice President and was given the role of International Director in addition to that in 2007. Mr. Yamaguchi currently works in Tokyo office from July 2017 as SVP and International Director of Asian art.

A native of Japan, he was educated at Gyosei Gakuen (L’Ecole de l’Etoile du Matin) High School. Mr. Yamaguchi then earned his B.A. at Rikkyo (St. Paul’s) University in Tokyo. He is currently guest professor for Kyoto University of Art and Design, a member of Japanese Art Society of America, Director for The Adachi Foundation and a Director for the International Ukiyo-e Society.

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Korean Art

Upcoming auctions

Arts of Asia Online

Arts of Asia Online

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Buying and selling

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Upcoming auctions

Arts of Asia Online

Arts of Asia Online

Contact us

Latest stories

Why wait for the next auction?

Buying and selling